USAID's $25.6M democracy assistance contract for Sudan's transition managed by DT Global Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,608,293 ($25.6M)

Contractor: DT Global Inc

Awarding Agency: Agency for International Development

Start Date: 2007-09-28

End Date: 2011-09-27

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17.5K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS SWIFT II TASK ORDER IS TO ESTABLISH AND MANAGE A QUICK-RESPONSE, FLEXIBLE MECHANISM FOR ACTIVITIES THAT ADVANCE SUDAN?S TRANSITION TO A NEW DEMOCRACY.

Plain-Language Summary

Agency for International Development obligated $25.6 million to DT GLOBAL INC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS SWIFT II TASK ORDER IS TO ESTABLISH AND MANAGE A QUICK-RESPONSE, FLEXIBLE MECHANISM FOR ACTIVITIES THAT ADVANCE SUDAN?S TRANSITION TO A NEW DEMOCRACY. Key points: 1. Contract focused on supporting Sudan's democratic transition through flexible, quick-response mechanisms. 2. Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (NAICS 541611) were the primary services. 3. The contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order under the SWIFT II IDIQ. 4. Performance spanned nearly four years, indicating a sustained effort in a complex environment. 5. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type suggests potential for cost overruns if not managed tightly. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized, suggesting the primary awardee was not a small business.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable projects. The CPFF structure can lead to higher costs if the contractor's efficiency is not closely monitored. However, the total award amount of $25.6 million over four years suggests a moderate level of investment for the stated objective of supporting a nation's democratic transition. Further analysis would require understanding the specific activities undertaken and their impact.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order under the SWIFT II Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. While the specific number of bidders for this particular delivery order is not provided, the 'competitive' designation implies that multiple offerors had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is intended to foster price discovery and ensure fair market value.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award suggests that taxpayer funds were likely used more efficiently compared to a sole-source procurement, as multiple companies vied for the contract, potentially driving down costs.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Sudanese population, who are intended to benefit from advancements in their country's transition to democracy. Services delivered likely included program management, technical assistance, and support for democratic institutions and processes. The geographic impact is focused on Sudan, a region undergoing significant political and social transformation. Workforce implications could include the employment of local Sudanese staff and international consultants working on the project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract type can incentivize contractor spending if not rigorously overseen.
The duration of the contract (nearly 4 years) requires sustained oversight to ensure objectives remain relevant and achievable.
Political instability in Sudan could pose risks to program implementation and contractor personnel safety.

Positive Signals

Awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating potential for value and fair pricing.
The contract's objective directly addresses a critical development need: democratic transition.
The SWIFT II IDIQ mechanism is designed for rapid and flexible responses to evolving needs.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting. The market for such services supporting international development and democracy promotion is significant, with numerous firms specializing in these areas. USAID often utilizes IDIQs like SWIFT II to procure these services efficiently, allowing for quick task order awards to address complex and evolving global challenges.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). This suggests that the primary awardee, DT Global Inc., is likely a large business. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans or performance related to small businesses within this specific task order, though larger prime contractors often engage small businesses for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Agency for International Development (USAID). As a delivery order under an IDIQ, task orders are typically monitored by the contracting officer and program officials responsible for the specific project objectives. Transparency is facilitated through contract awards databases, and accountability measures would be embedded in the contract's reporting requirements and performance evaluations. The Inspector General's office for USAID would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations.

Related Government Programs

Democracy and Governance Programs
International Development Assistance
USAID SWIFT II IDIQ
Political Transition Support

Risk Flags

Political instability in Sudan
Complexity of democratic transitions
Potential for cost overruns with CPFF contracts
Need for adaptive program management

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Agency for International Development awarded $25.6 million to DT GLOBAL INC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS SWIFT II TASK ORDER IS TO ESTABLISH AND MANAGE A QUICK-RESPONSE, FLEXIBLE MECHANISM FOR ACTIVITIES THAT ADVANCE SUDAN?S TRANSITION TO A NEW DEMOCRACY.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DT GLOBAL INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Agency for International Development (Agency for International Development).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-09-28. End: 2011-09-27.

What specific activities were undertaken by DT Global Inc. under this contract to advance Sudan's transition to democracy?

While the provided data outlines the contract's purpose, it does not detail the specific activities performed by DT Global Inc. Generally, contracts of this nature involve providing technical assistance to governmental and non-governmental organizations, supporting electoral processes, strengthening civil society, promoting rule of law, and facilitating public dialogue. The 'quick-response, flexible mechanism' suggests adaptability to evolving political landscapes. A thorough review of USAID's project reports, DT Global's public disclosures, or Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests would be necessary to ascertain the precise nature and scope of the implemented activities.

How does the $25.6 million cost compare to similar democracy-building initiatives in transitional countries?

Comparing the $25.6 million cost requires context regarding the duration, scope, and specific objectives of similar initiatives. Democracy-building efforts are highly variable, influenced by the host country's political environment, existing institutional capacity, and the specific interventions chosen. For a nearly four-year effort in a country like Sudan, $25.6 million represents a moderate investment. Larger-scale interventions in more stable or populous nations might exceed this figure significantly, while smaller, more targeted projects could cost less. Without specific benchmarks for comparable projects in similar transitional contexts, a definitive value-for-money assessment is difficult. However, the competitive award mechanism suggests an effort to achieve reasonable costs.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how did DT Global Inc. perform against them?

The provided data does not include the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) established for this contract, nor does it contain performance evaluation results. Typically, contracts supporting democratic transitions would have KPIs related to the strengthening of democratic institutions, increased citizen participation, improved governance practices, or the successful implementation of specific reform agendas. Performance assessments are usually documented in contract close-out reports or performance reviews conducted by the contracting agency. Accessing these internal USAID documents would be necessary to evaluate DT Global's performance against contractual requirements.

What risks were identified during the contract period, and how were they mitigated?

Given the context of Sudan's political transition during the contract period (2007-2011), significant risks were likely present, including political instability, security concerns, potential for corruption, and challenges in institutional capacity building. Mitigation strategies would typically involve close coordination with USAID, adaptive program design, robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks, security protocols for personnel, and strong financial controls. Specific risk registers and mitigation plans are usually internal documents. The 'quick-response, flexible mechanism' suggests an inherent understanding of the need for adaptability in managing risks in such an environment.

What is the historical spending pattern for administrative management and general management consulting services by USAID?

USAID consistently spends significant amounts on administrative management and general management consulting services (NAICS 541611) to support its global development and humanitarian missions. This spending supports a wide range of activities, from program design and implementation oversight to institutional capacity building and policy advice. Historical data would show fluctuations based on geopolitical priorities, funding appropriations, and the specific needs of various countries and programs. Contracts like the one awarded to DT Global Inc. are part of a broader pattern of USAID leveraging external expertise to achieve its foreign policy and development objectives efficiently.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: AECOM (UEI: 153561212)

Address: 1025 THOMAS JEFFERSON ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20007

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $49,924,338

Exercised Options: $49,924,338

Current Obligation: $25,608,293

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: AIDDOTI000300006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline